Demonstrations marks rights declaration anniversary
JAKARTA (JP): Demonstrations and discussions in a number of cities highlighted concerns over rights abuses, as Indonesians on Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In Semarang, some 1,000 students of the Satya Wacana Christian University protested rights abuses in politics, education, the economy, religion and law.
They demanded investigations into "the masterminds behind all of the violence committed by the Armed Forces (ABRI)", a thorough investigation into the wealth of former president Soeharto and an end to the use of religion for political ends.
In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, a discussion featured the testimonies of victims of violence. The talk held by the Ujung Pandang Legal Aid Office (LBH) was attended by some 100 victims, including peasants, students and activists.
Lawyer Adnan Buyung Azis of the Ujung Pandang LBH said that cases handled by his office which were related to acts of alleged violence committed by the Armed Forces and other officials included 50 land cases, six political cases, 38 labor cases and four cases of discrimination.
In Purwokerto, Central Java, some 5,000 high school and university students grouped in the Indonesian Forum for Youth Struggle demanded that ABRI "return to the barracks".
After protesters conducted their noon prayers on the streets, they went to state-run radio RRI, where broadcasters agreed to air their demands.
In Bogor, West Java, about 50 students from Djuanda University demanded that the police end their investigation of fellow students T. Ade, Emon Mulyad and Syaefulloh. The three are being detained on charges related to the death of First Lt. Dadang Rusmana during demonstrations in May. Forensic experts said that the officer died of a heart attack.
Other rallies in the city featured dozens of people demanding clarification of their land cases at the town branch and the regency branch of the National Land Agency.
In Yogyakarta, around 500 students also grouped in the Indonesian Forum for Youth Struggle marched from Sanata Dharma university to the Yogya Monument. Students appealed for civilians to band together to resist efforts to pit one group against the other.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, ulema discussed the prospects of rallies during the Ramadhan fasting month, which begins on Dec. 20. People have been bracing themselves for the unprecedented prospect of rallies during this year's Ramadhan, as students have said that they will continue demonstrations. Various parties have suggested that students refrain from rallies to give security forces, who have been guarding the city for more than a month, an opportunity to join the annual rites.
Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council Ali Yafie said that there was no problem with demonstrations during Ramadhan, as long as limits were observed. "What's wrong with demonstrating if it is limited to expressing opinions?" Ali, also a member of the National Commission on Human Rights, said in Bandung.
"Feel free to join demonstrations, as long as you refrain from damaging things, harassing others, condemning others and saying dirty words, which are forbidden when fasting," he said, as quoted by Antara. (team)